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Newman offered political lifeline

Ousted Queensland Premier Campbell Newman is being asked to consider standing for Liberal preselection in a federal seat in Victoria.

The former secretary of the Wodonga Liberal Party branch, Lloyd Deane, wrote to Mr Newman this week asking him to reverse his decision to quit politics and stand for preselection in the seat of Indi, in northern Victoria.

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He has had “very positive” feedback from other branch members but the local branch has not endorsed Mr Deane’s actions.

Mr Deane said he wanted to ensure the party had the best chance of reclaiming the seat fromindependent Cathy McGowan, who defeated former Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella in the last federal election.

“We’re hoping that preselection will start in the next six months because as you know the federal election’s due next year,” he said.

“We want to get the best possible candidate we can to offer to the voters of Indi.”

Campbell’s a natural born leader and who knows he could even have the potential to become prime minister.

Lloyd Deane, Wodonga Liberal Party branch member

Mr Deane praised Mr Newman’s “terrific” military career.

“Ten per cent of the Australian Army is stationed at Bandiana and Bonagilla, which are in the electorate, and I’m sure they’d love to have Campbell Newman as their representative,” he said.

“He’s a true believer in the Liberal philosophy, believes in private enterprise, freedom of the individual, reward for effort so he’d have no problem fitting in at all.”

Mr Deane said it would not matter that the former Queensland premier would not know much about local issues, because a federal election was run on federal issues.

“It’s like a football team. We want to attract the most talent we can to get success,” he said.

“Campbell’s a natural born leader and who knows, he could even have the potential to become prime minister.”

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